By Justin Ooi T.Y.
My children and I were eagerly looking forward to the PJEFC “Hike & Hunt with Daddy” on a recent Saturday (June 15, 2024). But it started raining that morning! Hike cancelled. THE END.
NO!!! Praise God the rain let up and the hike went on as planned. My 9-year-old twins Kara and Caleb were thrilled with the 2-hour hike at TTDI Kiara Hill, organised by PJEFC’s Running & Hiking Club in conjunction with Father’s Day for fathers to bond with their young children.
Although my kids are city slickers who have only gone hiking once or twice in their lives, I didn’t have to worry about Caleb. Being a naturally kiasu boy, he raced ahead of me double-quick to follow Gary Ng who was leading the pack. Boys will be boys.
Kara, being ‘daddy’s girl’, followed me closely, carefully avoiding the roots on the trail and holding my hand while negotiating slippery patches. I appreciate how God made my twins so differently.
Along the hike, we had a scavenger hunt and games like forming the letters of our family names with our bodies, taking creative photos of leaves, spotting iconic KL buildings atop the hill and more.
The organiser generously provided snacks and goodies as prizes so that everyone won something, to the delight of the kids (and dads).
It was also a meaningful time of fellowship with other fathers and their children as we trudged up and down the hill while enjoying the cool morning air and the cover of the forest canopy. As a type-A, goal-oriented person, it was a good change to enjoy the journey rather than the destination.
Kara was especially thrilled when a beautiful purple and grey moth landed on her finger. It was her pet for 15 minutes as we walked down the hill, before it flew back to nature.
Kudos to the PJEFC’s Running Camp Hiking Club for picking a trail that was sufficiently challenging, yet manageable for kids aged 12 and below. The games in between provided educational fun while giving participants time to rest.
Review summary: Healthy, wholesome fun. I certainly recommend this to fathers and kids if PJEFC organises it again next year. 5-star rating! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” – Proverbs 22:6
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